Jenoa Sutton: Rodney Dempsey charged with alleged domestic-related murder
The man charged with the alleged domestic-related murder of Jenoa Sutton at Lithgow nearly eight years ago has faced court.
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The man charged with the grisly murder of his former partner, mother-of-two Jenoa Sutton, was refused bail this morning.
Rodney Dempsey, 50, of Bowenfels, has been charged with the alleged domestic-related murder of Sutton at Lithgow nearly eight years ago.
He faced Penrith Local Court this morning and appeared via audio visual link to face charges from the Amber Laurel Correctional Facility in Emu Plains.
Magistrate Janine Lacy adjourned the matter to May 7 at Lithgow Local Court, noting “the date alleged is somewhat of a historical matter”.
During a press conference held this morning at NSW Police Headquarters, Homicide Squad Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Sutton and Dempsey had a son and daughter who were seven and two respectively when the alleged murder occurred.
Det-Supt Doherty said the breakthrough that led to the arrest at a Katoomba business yesterday followed eight years of “very determined, tenacious work”.
“I would have to say every investigative avenue was chased down, but more importantly, the advances in forensic technology greatly assisted in us reaching the point where we could arrest the man yesterday,” Det-Supt Doherty said.
“All I can say there’s been an active and open investigation for eight years. It sometimes takes time to get justice for the victim and the family but whilst the family has mixed emotion in relation to yesterday’s arrest, I know the sister and Jenoa’s father and stepmother in Dubbo, were very pleased with the result.
“It’s been a long journey for them over eight years but they’re pleased police haven’t given up, and again, will never give up where we’re saying Jenoa’s been the victim of a terrible crime and it’s a terrible domestic-related homicide and we’ll keep on pursuing these type of matters until we get justice from the family and that’s what happened in this incident.’’
Emergency services were called to a home on Macaulay St, Lithgow, about 4.15pm on March 8, 2012, after the body of 27-year-old Sutton was found in the bathroom by her sister.
A post-mortem examination found she died of a head injury and drowning.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, together with Chifley Police District, established Strike Force Aubin to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Two days after Ms Sutton was killed an amber alert was issued because Dempsey had her children.
“A few days after this incident, there was a child at risk incident that police were assisted by FACS. Since that time the children were in the care of other family members,” Det-Supt Doherty said.
Det-Supt Doherty said her body was discovered after her son had not been collected from school.
“At the time, the seven-year-old boy was at school and hadn’t been picked up and that’s what led a family member to check on Jenoa and found her in the bathroom,’’ Det-Supt Doherty said.
Magistrate Lacy said she would return the case to the local court, Lithgow, unless there is some compelling reason for it be heard in Penrith.
Dempsey’s defence solicitor said the majority of witnesses are from Lithgow.
He interrupted proceedings to inform his client that “Heather would look after his animals”. Dempsey thanked him.